The story of Hagar and Ishmael
The story of Hagar and Ishmael is found in the book of Genesis, chapter 16, in the Bible.Hagar was an Egyptian slave woman who belonged to Sarah, the wife of Abraham. Sarah was unable to have children, and in their old age, Sarah suggested that Abraham take Hagar as his concubine in order to have a child. Abraham agreed, and Hagar became pregnant with Ishmael.However, tension arose between Sarah and Hagar after Hagar became pregnant, as Sarah became jealous and treated her harshly. As a result, Hagar fled into the wilderness to escape the mistreatment.While in the wilderness, Hagar encountered an angel of the Lord who instructed her to return to Sarah and submit to her authority. The angel also promised Hagar that her descendants would become a great nation and that her son would have many descendants as well.Hagar obeyed the angel's instructions and returned to Abraham and Sarah. She gave birth to a son named Ishmael, who became the father of the Arab nations. Ishmael grew up in the wilderness and became skilled in archery.Years later, when Sarah miraculously became pregnant and gave birth to Isaac, the promised son, tensions between Sarah and Hagar resurfaced. Sarah felt threatened by Ishmael and his relationship with Isaac and asked Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away.
Reluctantly, Abraham agreed, and he provided Hagar and Ishmael with some provisions and sent them into the wilderness. Hagar and Ishmael wandered in the desert of Beersheba and eventually ran out of water.Hagar, seeing her son suffering from thirst, placed Ishmael under a bush and went a short distance away, unable to bear witnessing his impending death. In her distress, she cried out to God for help.God heard Hagar's cries and spoke to her, assuring her that He had heard the boy's cries as well. God directed her to a nearby well, and she was able to give Ishmael water to drink.Ishmael grew up in the wilderness of Paran and became a skilled archer. Eventually, his mother arranged for him to marry an Egyptian woman. Ishmael had twelve sons, who became the heads of twelve tribes, fulfilling the angel's promise that Ishmael would become the father of a great nation.
The story of Hagar and Ishmael is significant in both Judaism and Islam. In Judaism, Ishmael is seen as the father of the Arab people, while in Islam, he is considered a prophet, and both Muslims and Jews trace their lineage back to Abraham.
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